For a quarter of a century Gayle Polakowski has faithfully served the Town
of Chesterton as its Clerk-Treasurer.

Her tenure will come to an end on Dec. 31.

At the Town Council’s meeting Monday night, Town Attorney Chuck Lukmann read
into the record Polakowski’s letter of resignation, and of retirement.

“It is with deep regret that I must submit this letter to you. As you may
know, I have enjoyed working for the Town of Chesterton for 25 years now and
would love to be able to continue to do so.

“However, due to illness, I find that I must tender my resignation,
effective Dec. 31, 2013. If it were feasible to continue as your
Clerk-Treasurer, I would certainly choose that route, but this is not a
possibility with my current health situation.

“Thank you, Town of Chesterton, for your confidence in me. I sincerely
appreciated the support provided to me during my years as Clerk-Treasurer.”

Member Nick Walding, R-3rd, expressed his gratitude to Polakowski for “her
long and faithful and competent service to the town.” And he assured her
that “our prayers are certainly with you during this time of illness.”

“It is a sad thing to say good bye to someone you’ve worked with so long,”
noted Member Jim Ton, R-1st.

Member Sharon Darnell, D-4th, chose not to say farewell at all, in fact had
lunched with Polakowski earlier in the day, and found her chipper and in
fine fettle. “She yelled at me once already today,” Darnell joked.

Darnell’

s larger point was that
Polakowski--temporarily staying at a nursing facility in town--is vibrant
and cheerful and would love a visit or a call. Contact the town hall at
926-1641 for more information about sending your best to Polakowski.

The task of filling Polakowski’s seat will fall to a caucus, yet to be
called by the chair of the Porter County Republican County, composed solely
of the precinct committeemen for the Town of Chesterton.

Members did vote 4-0 to approve a payment to Polakowski--conditional on her
serving as Clerk-Treasurer through Dec. 31--in the lump-sum amount of
$20,000, for sick leave, major medical, and vacation time accrued over her
career but not taken. Member Jeff Trout, R-2nd, was not in attendance.